AUSTRALIA: Expressions of interest in the next contract to operate passenger rail services around Melbourne are to be invited from mid-September, with the Victoria state government calling for ‘the most experienced transport operators from around the world’ to bid.
The state said the contract, designated MR5, is ‘an opportunity to raise the bar and deliver better outcomes for customers’. It would provide ‘a world class customer experience that connects residents and visitors alike, linking seamlessly with the world’s largest tram network, regional rail services, bus routes and airport connections’.
The services have been operated by the Metro Trains Melbourne joint venture of MTR Corp, John Holland Group and UGL Rail since 2009.
The next contract is scheduled to begin in late 2027. It will cover the operation of more than 2 000 services per day across 1 000 km of track, with more than 220 stations, seven maintenance depots and nearly 7 000 employees.
Ambitions include more reliable services, a better customer experience, improved accessibility and more real-time data, as well as ‘flexibility to adapt and innovate for the future’.
